Teixeira HR lifts Yankees

New York s Mark Teixeira watches his go-ahead home run in the seventh inning.

NEW YORK - Mark Teixeira bailed out a shaky A.J. Burnett with a go-ahead, three-run homer off Joel Zumaya, and the New York Yankees opened the second half with a 5-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers Friday night.

New York trailed 3-1 against rookie Luke French, then started its comeback with an unearned run in the fifth.

Zumaya (3-3) relieved to start the seventh, gave up a leadoff single to Derek Jeter and a long double to Johnny Damon that glanced off the glove of Clete Thomas and ricocheted against the wall above the right-field scoreboard.

Rather than issue an intentional walk that would load the bases for Alex Rodriguez, Zumaya pitched to Teixeira and fell behind in the count 3-1. Teixeira lined the next pitch into the second deck in right field for his 22nd homer, just his second since June 12, and his third hit of the night.

Phil Hughes (4-2) struck out six in two innings of relief, reaching 97 mph in an increasing rain. After a 57-minute rain delay two pitches into the bottom of the eighth, Mariano Rivera finished for his 24th save in 25 chances as the Yankees successfully began a 10-game homestand.

New York rebounded after closing the first half with three straight losses at the Los Angeles Angels. The Yankees improved to 6-15 against teams currently leading their divisions: Detroit, Boston, the Angels and Philadelphia.

Burnett struggled all night, starting seven of his first eight batters with balls and 15 of 27 overall. He gave up three runs, six hits and five walks in six innings.

Detroit, which has lost three of four against the Yankees this year, had won four of five going into the All-Star break.